Another explanation is that some plastics have petroleum products and gelatin as ingredients. Another theory is that some plastic is made with some rendered animal fat which cats may be able to smell or detect. Some believe that cats like the texture of plastic when they lick. I think the main problem is that cats are attracted to things that move, things that are shiny and sparkle – things that can mimic prey. There are several theories as to why cats may lick plastic. Interesting question! I don’t know why companies would coat plastic with a substance that attracts cats. I am concerned about the health complications it presents and why the makers of these plastics cannot make changes so as not to attract cats to want to chew or eat it. I read an article in Catnip that says some plastics are coated with a gelatin that attracts cats. Although I try to keep them put up it is almost impossible to keep all the plastics away from them. If you have a question about the weird and wild animal world, tweet me, leave me a note or photo in the comments below, or find me on Facebook.I have several cats that love to chew and or try to eat plastic wrapping items like what is used to wrap sports drinks, bottled water packages, toilet paper packages, etc. Weird Animal Question of the Week answers your questions every Saturday. Nod tiredly if you’ve ever had a cat jump on you at 4 a.m. Zoomies you control will minimize the zoomies you don’t. Getting the cat to play with store-bought or DIY toys, with you or on his own, will help. Those bursts come randomly if they don’t get enough physical activity. The natural pattern of cats, big and small, is to “sleep or nap and then have sudden bursts of activity. The zoomies are also a sign that a cat isn’t getting enough aerobic exercise, Dodman explains. Likewise cats that lived outdoors as kittens likely feel claustrophobic as adult indoor cats, another reason for the erratic behavior, says Dodman. (Related: " Ask Your Weird Animal Questions: The Truth About Your Cats.") "It's frustrating I love him and I want what is best for him, but I'm not sure what to do anymore," Davis tells us.įor one, understanding their background helps: Kittens that grow up without their mothers, as Davis's cat may have, often behave abnormally, Bradshaw says. Now, at two years old, he has what's sometimes called the “zoomies,” randomly darting around the house and meowing constantly, often while sitting by the door. Katelynn Davis’s foundling cat, rescued from behind a restaurant, used to sleep on her shoulder. The pets sometimes “will try to shift the with their teeth,” which can leave bald patches. Long-haired cats often get mats from their winter coats, which can get itchy come spring, adds John Bradshaw of the U.K.'s University of Bristol and author of The Trainable Cat. (Related: " What Do Cats Think About Us? You May Be Surprised.") The best course of action is to take the animal to the vet to get checked out, he suggests. Some cats do engage in stress-induced hair-pulling, but the seasonal nature of this cat's behavior suggests an allergy, Dodman says. "I've mentioned this to other people, and most say this is very unusual. The fur then grows back short and smooth, getting longer in winter. Instead, the feline tends to pull his fur out with his teeth in spring, sometimes leaving bare patches. Laura’s orange tabby grows a two-inch-long winter coat but doesn’t shed.
(See National Geographic readers' pictures of cats.) Cat Mats It’s not dangerous-unless the cat is ingesting the plastic, which can lead to intestinal blockages. Licking plastic bags is a "texture-specific eating disorder,” meaning the cats just like that texture, he adds. WATCH: An energetic cat named Jesperpus hits the trails with his two-legged friend Aina Stormo in Norway.